THE BARONY merged with three other institutions to form a super-college this week.

Scotland’s Rural University College also involves the former Elmwood, Oatridge and Scottish Agricultural colleges.

The new institution, established on Monday, insists it’s business as usual until it can define its new shape.

Professor Geoff Simm said the organisation does not know what changes will be made in its future structure.

He said: “It’s too early to say if we’ll have the perfect fit just now. It may be a few years before we can determine our future shape.

“The agricultural industry has its ups and downs but we don’t see the organisation as a whole undergoing massive changes. It’s pretty much business as usual.”

In August, Barony Principal Russell Marchant packed his bags for a new role at Hartpury College, near Gloucester, after 26 years.

The college says its immediate priority is to work towards becoming Scotland’s first rural university college with degree-awarding powers in 2014.

The SRUC says it is in a prime location to boost the agricultural industry thanks to a growing world population and increase in food demand.

Chairman Lord Jamie Lindsay said: “Within the lifetime of today’s students, world food production must almost double to feed the growing population.

“This must be done on less land, with diminishing resources, while protecting the environment and addressing the challenges posed by climate change. We have the ability to make a real and crucial difference in a changing world.”

Education Secretary Michael Russell added: “This will be a win-win for students and our economy.”